WHENEVER WE HEAP praise on the All Blacks (which kind of happens all the time), Sam Whitelock rarely gets a mention. He is so consistently excellent while keeping a quiet public profile that he almost gets lost when we are listing off New Zealand’s biggest stars.
But you don’t get over 60 caps for the world’s best team without being an exceptional player and Whitelock scored the kind of try this morning that we usually see from Julian Savea.
When you watch this video, you only need to remember one thing – Sam Whitlock is a SECOND ROW!
Shrugging off tacklers, swerving past the last defender – if Whitelock starts busting these runs out on a regular basis then even the most carefully orchestrated Joe Schmidt kick-chase won’t slow the AB’s down.
The try came in the Crusaders easy 58-17 win over the Queensland Reds in Christchurch but the game had an increased significance for two men… who just happen to be two of the greatest All Blacks ever.
With Dan Carter moving to Paris and Richie McCaw likely to retire, this was also the duo’s last Super Rugby home game. Both of them won four Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders and while neither has been at their best this season, you wouldn’t bet against them recapturing their strongest form this autumn at the World Cup.
Even when on the bench he didn’t get game time. The coach doesn’t like or trust him. Saturday once again showed just how wrong O’connor has been all season
O’Connor is just all wrong for Leinster.
He has a very big chance next season with Leinster during the World Cup, midfield won’t be as competitive so he should get a good run of matches.
Mark if Darcy doesn’t make the World Cup squad, he’ll play 12 with t’eo at 13. Then Madigan and sexton will be back so the midfield won’t be as easy to get into as you may think
That pop pass from O’Brien
Battle between him and Madigan for the 12 jersey next season.
It’s always to easy to see who coaches ‘just like/don’t like’. When Gopperth played badly it was ignored whereas when Madigan played mediocre or even if Reid played well decisions went against them.
It creates such a poisonous culture as some players start to feel entitled to spots and others feel it doesn’t matter how well they play they won’t get picked. Cody and Fergusson were masters at disregarding players identities and judging on match performance alone. MOC is such a stink manager.